This is a very faithful studio scale replica of the Rebel Transport from The Empire Strikes back. This model is the result of apporximately three years of deep research with a team of people I consider to be not only good friends, but people at the top of their craft. Stinson Lenz, Craig Underwood, Ed Minto, Hiroshi Sumi, Jeff Garton, Joe Jimenez, Mike Salzo, Mike Reader, Bryan Babich, and others came together over the course of those years, and really ensured that this model would be part for part accurate to a shocking degree. 

It all started with a body shell, which I was able to get dimensionally accurate. Stinson did the heavy lifting with the 3D file, which was so good that I realized it could be grown in China, and then used as a pattern to have Mike Salzo mold and cast! So, that is exactly what happened, with additional castings rounding out the non-kit parts, with over sixty cargo containers, other smaller container shapes, and miscellaneous things that ILM also cast. Everything else is Plastruct elements, laser cut acrylic, and styrene kit donors, of which there are a sizable amount. Mike Reader machined the engine bells and armature block, and gas pipe was used to round out the armature. 

The paint job was a wonderful process, with a few initial missteps, but capturing the odd salmon and blue colors proved to be achievable and very exciting. Weathering makes it all come alive, and I added extra lights on the model for fun, as the original ILM miniature only had the seven engine lights lit. But don't worry, there is a hidden switch under the removable front mount cover that can turn these extra lights off, if you want the "as seen on screen" look. Bryan Babich had a local-to-him metalsmith make the powder coated stand you see in some of the photos, which allows a side mount presentation, and the base being solid steel allows for the model to safely hang out in space dramatically.

I have 90 entries on how to build one of these, on my Patreon, if you want to make a replica. Also be sure to check out the Tested video!